November election

Kaynes to make bid for seat on council

A total of four city seats will be up for grabs this fall

Robert Kaynes Jr., a 56-year-old lifelong Bexley resident, has become the first candidate to announce he will run for Bexley City Council in the November general election.

Kaynes, a Stanwood Road resident, graduated from Bexley High School in 1974 and received a bachelor's degree from Washington University-St. Louis in 1978.

He is a past president of the Reynoldsburg Jaycees and served as a board member for various organizations.

Kaynes currently is a member of the Rotary Club of Columbus, Chief Executive Boards International and serves on the UIW Pension Plan Board of Trustees.

Kaynes has been employed at the Bron-Shoe Co. since 1978 and has served as president and CEO since 1996.

In a statement announcing his candidacy, Kaynes said his main reason for running is a desire to serve.

"First and foremost ... to serve," he said. "I've been extremely fortunate to live in Bexley all my life. Now I'd like to give something back by serving on the City Council.

"I believe my knowledge of the city combined with my considerable leadership experience can help Bexley continue to be one of the top suburbs in the central Ohio area. This, along with my ability to listen and act decisively, can help the citizens of Bexley continue to live in a city they can be proud to call home."

Kaynes' wife, Randy, is an early childhood intervention specialist for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities. He has two daughters: Jessica Kaynes, 28, a lead teacher at Helping Hands Center for Special Needs in Columbus; and Stacy Morton, 24, an assistant teacher at the developmental disabilities board.

The terms of incumbent council members Matt Lampke, Anne Lewis, Richard Sharp and council President Rick Weber all expire this year. None of the current council members have announced if they will be on the November ballot.